Dante, buste d’homme drapé, tête couverte de trois-quart à gauche 

Pierre Puvis de Chavannes created this drawing of Dante using pencil on paper. The choice of material is interesting: pencil, which is so immediate and accessible. The artist’s hand is evident in the varying pressure of the strokes, creating depth and shadow. The paper itself is humble, with a warm tone that softens the image. Notice how the medium lends itself to the artist’s process, in which quick, expressive lines capture the essence of Dante’s draped bust. But this wasn’t just about a quick sketch. The artist worked and reworked this image; one can imagine Chavannes in his studio, caught up in the labor of creation. The image is a study, and shows the skill and craft that went into preparing for the final painting. Considering the drawing's purpose, it's clear that even the most academic and skilled drawings are not divorced from wider social issues of labor. Ultimately, this drawing is a reminder that even the most refined works of art are the result of a process, a journey of exploration and discovery.